14-2 Doppler Effect 11.2 Doppler Effect When astationary source produces waves (sound, light etc.), the waves spread out and travel to astationary observer at a speed that depends only on the medium. The wavelength and frequency are unchanged. wave speed ¢ ° Suppose the source is moving in the +x direction, towards the observer, the same direction as the wave is moving, Then the wavelength is compressed by a factor (c-\,) / ¢ source speed v, If the original frequency is fy and the observed frequency is f, then: fo=c/n and f=c/x' where’ is the modified wavelength The ratio f / f= c/n’ x/C=2/H' But 4‘ =a (c-v.)/e Sof/fo=c/(ew) or [F=foe/e-w) A different form of this formula is given in the data booklet. You should assure yourself that they are equivalent. If the source is moving away from the observer then v, would have a negative value, but the formula is unchanged. This is much easier than trying to remember different formulae for approaching and receding source / observer. The direction of the wave, from source to abserver, is always the positive direction.14-2 Doppler Effect Moving observer wave speed ¢ oO oO Observer speed vo If the observer is moving in the +x direction (away from the source), then the number of waves observed in a given time is reduced in the ratio (c-ve)/¢ Therefore the observed frequency F=f (C-vo)/e Again, the positive direction for vo is the same direction as the wave is travelling. If the observer were moving towards the source, then v, would have a negative value, but the same formula still applies. Doppler effect with light In the case of light, the speed of the source or observer is always much smaller than c, 50 an approximation is possible. F/fo=c/ (c+ %,) =1/0 4 v/c) fo/t fuse (fo/ f)-l=tu/e (fo- f)/feeuse Af/f=£¥/c¢ — orif vecethen Int/ fons use